Tomorrow's World: 'Education is vital to live well'

The children of today are the adults of tomorrow. They shape the future and reflect our progress. What are the hopes and aspirations of our kids? How do they see themselves contributing to a better world? What do they feel, think, believe and desire? Every week, we zoom in on the youth living in the Emirates, and hear what they have to say

Child of the Week: Farazeh Mahboob

Living an expatriate life, we often have to try harder to instil a sense of our native roots in our children. The rains in Dhaka appear beautiful to 11-year old Farazeh Mahboob, a Bangladeshi national who has grown up mainly in Dubai. Apart from being just picturesque, it means much more to her mother Samina and bank executive father Mahboob Mushed. The showers of Dhaka bring forth a bouquet of childhood memories.

A student at the International School of Choueifat in Dubai, Farazeh is a typical pre-teen, excited with the prospect of growing up. Art, basketball, swimming and playing sports with friends are her favourite pastimes. She's known to be athletic and has received quite a few swimming certificates.

Although she often gets annoyed with three-year-old sister Alizeh, she is quite a protective big sister. Energetic and carefree, Farazeh is content and frank in her approach to life.

SHE SAYS:

Think before you act, my parents repeatedly say to me. That is because I speak my mind quite freely, a personality trait I've picked up from my mom.

At the same time, I'm quite sensitive. I will feel bad if I have said something mean or if someone has been unkind to me. Because I love talking, I am often asked not to interrupt conversations, especially among adults. Respect your elders, behave well in public and avoid arguing is what my parents teach my sister and I.

Eid is my favourite holiday, because we buy new clothes, receive gifts and visit friends. I am learning how to pray and read the Holy Quran. Another significant aspect of being a Muslim girl is to observe the dress code. We are taught to wear clothes that are conservative and cover the body. On special religious occasions, I wear the traditional salwar kameez and eat authentic dishes with friends from the Bangladesh community.

When I grow up, I would like to help the poor in my country. We must really thank God for all that we have. When I want something, I just ask my parents for it and can go to a mall and buy it. Except for a mobile phone, which my parents think is an unreasonable luxury for me right now! Food, clothes, a good home is taken for granted, but it truly needs to be appreciated by all of us fortunate children in Dubai. When you don't feel like going to school, just think of the underprivileged kids who cannot afford an education.

I think for the world to become a better place, we really need to look after the natural environment. Grow more trees and reduce pollution so we can have clean air to breathe in the future. At school, the Student Life is an extra-curricular organisation that plans events. Recycling projects are one of their most successful ones. I participated by bringing cans and glasses and felt quite good.

Education is vital to live well and have a job, although I'd rather play than study right now. Basketball is my passion and I look up to American player Michael Jordan. Swimming is a close favourite. Basically, I don't like sitting at home and would rather be out, doing things and staying active.

When I do stay in, art is what I enjoy the most. I observe objects in front of me and try to reproduce it with watercolours. I'm just a beginner and am making a folder of things. I also dabble with bubble writing, block writing and other creative styles of handwriting that are beautiful to read. Something like fun calligraphy. It would be nice to become a painter when I grow up, maybe someone famous like Picasso and Leonardo da Vinci.

However successful you become, you must be kind and considerate is what my mother says. Friends are important to me because I love having company to talk to and play with. Yet, you can't live without family support and love.

Apart from giving you the food, shelter and money, they also give you compliments when you do well. When you do mischief, they explain why and guide you in the right direction.